Salt River

Yesterday we took the kids and got out of the city. We didn't have to drive too far, which is nice. The water level is low so there weren't any (obnoxious, loud, drunk) rafters and tubers, which was very nice. I've often heard that the Salt River is dirty and disgusting, and it could just be that we went at just the right time, but it was crystal clear. The weather was warm (mid-90s) but the water felt great. We wandered, crossed the river a few times, splashed, picked up shells, and caught tiny fish. I'd say it was one of our favorite family outings yet. You wouldn't know it by looking at the pictures, but Marnie was in.a.mood when we got there. She did not want to walk around and was full of complaints about the rocks, spiders, and everything else. The instant her toes hit the water-- it was like someone flipped a switch. She laughed and had the time of her life. Britt came away with his pockets full of souvenirs (shells and crawdad pinchers) which he took home and scrubbed with a toothbrush. I (as usual) took 5,000 pictures. Here's a fraction of them.

Her cheeks were probably sore from that perma-smile.

hubba hubba

His tooth is cracking me up. That thing is hanging by a thread...I can't believe he hasn't yanked it yet. 

Floating with a little help from daddy.

She didn't stop giggling the entire time. Even when she slipped and started floating away (we were right there and Britt grabbed her foot to stop her), she just laughed and laughed. She's a little fearless. 

water ballet

Tried to catch crawdads...

and ended up with some adorable baby fish.

Fun, laid-back, cheap, crowd-free, and outdoors: Our favorite kind of family adventure.